– The abortion rate in the United States is at its lowest point since 1973, when the supreme court legalized the procedure in all 50 states. No conclusive evidence yet as to why, but many are linking the drop to the availability of new, long-acting contraceptive methods. (Washington Post)

– Another newborn has contracted neonatal genital herpes from metzitzah b’peh, a controversial circumcision rite in which the mohel places his mouth directly on the circumcision wound in order to draw blood. The practice is not used in most Jewish circumcision ceremonies, but many in the haredi Orthodox community still adhere to the rite. (JTA)

– Preschool is totally trending right now, with more and more states from both sides of the political divide making a serious push for government-funded preschool. (NY Times)

Molly TolskyMolly Tolsky is the editor of Kveller.com. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Her work has appeared in various literary magazines including Lumina, MAKE, and The Collagist, and her non-fiction has appeared in The Jewish Daily Forward. She isn't a parent, but a very proud aunt. Follow her @mollytolsky.